2003 Chevrolet Astro

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*:THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING IN A PARKING LOT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO DEPRESS. ONCE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE A NOISE CAME FROM THE ABS. THE NOISE CEASED AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY RAN THE VIN TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. IT WAS ALSO SEEN BY A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK

• 12/27/2007· STRUCTURE

  I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT AND THE BACK GLASS HINGE HAS CAME UNGLUED FROM THE GLASS AND FALLEN ON ONE SIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FOUR GLASS COMPANY'S THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF 2003 TAHOES AND SURBURBANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BACK GLASS AND THAT IT IS A DEFECT. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 100,000 MILES BUT ITS THERE PROBLEM THEY ARE THE ONES THAT GLUED THE HINGES TO THE GLASS AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY 900.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GLASS ESPECIALLY WHEN I DON'T HAVE IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE THE CHEVROLET COMPANY FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS CAUSED THE BACK GLASS TO STICK UP OVER THE BACK ABOUT A INCH AND YOU CAN NOT EVEN OPEN IT BECAUSE THE HINGE ON THE GLASS HAS COME COMPLETELY UNGLUED IT FALLS DOWN WHEN YOU OPEN IT AND IS VERY VERY HARD TO CLOSE ONCE YOU OPEN IT. BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PICK UP ON THE GLASS AND TRY TO CLOSE IT AT THE SAME TIME BELIEVE ME MY FINGERS HAS GOTTEN SMASHED MANY TIMES SO I STOPPED EVEN OPENING IT. BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I REALLY USED IT ALOT TO PUT STUFF IN THE BACK WHEN THE 3RD ROW SEAT WAS BEING USED IF YOU OPENED THE WHOLE DOOR THEN YOUR STUFF FALLS OUT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH ROOM TO PUT YOUR STUFF BACK THERE. *TR

• 12/21/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2003 TAHOE AND HAVE HAD THE SPEEDOMETER STICK A NUMBER OF TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE SERVICE TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION SO THEY TOLD ME NOT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE COST. GM IS NOW OFFERING A "SPECIAL COVERAGE" THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, HOWEVER ONLY IF THE TAHOE HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES OR YOU HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE UNDER 7 YEARS WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. I FEEL THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD ISSUE A FULL RECALL TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

• 12/19/2003· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS NOT MOVING.*AK

• 12/13/2005· SEAT BELTS

  I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CAVALIER LS EARLIER THIS YEAR. ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT SLIPS OUT OF THE LOOP ON THE TOP OF THE SEAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD IT, WHILE I AM BUCKLING UP, AND SMACKS ME IN THE NECK. SOMETIMES I DRIVE WITH IT THIS WAY, BUT WAS SINCE TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT I SHOULDN'T BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT IS NOT DOING ITS JOB EFFECTIVELY THAT WAY. THE LATEST TIME BEING TODAY, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES I HAVE BELOW IS 15, BUT THIS IS JUST AN ESTIMATE. *JB

• 12/06/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING "THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT YOUR VEHICLE COULD DEVELOP A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE NEEDLES MAY STICK, FLUTTER, OR BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS MAY CAUSE INACCURATE READINGS, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE" THE LETTER CONTINUES TO STATE THAT "GENERAL MOTORS IS PROVIDING SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY" IF "YOUR 2003 CHEVROLET MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET TAHOE WITHIN 7 YEARS OF THE DATE" OR "70,000 MILES". MY CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS BOTH THESE ISSUES. THEY STARTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE I RECEIVED THE LETTER. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND AND WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE FROM GENERAL MOTORS IS WHY MY SAFETY IS NOT AN CONCERN TO THEM BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 70,000 MILES IN MY TAHOE? I TRAVEL THROUGH A LOT OF RURAL AREAS TO WORK AND I FEEL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS. I FEEL IT EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING 60 OR 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I AM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I AM GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING OVER 120 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL FOR SPEEDING TICKETS. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT GENERAL MOTORS CARES ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY MILES THEY HAVE DRIVEN. THESE GAUGES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPLACED AND THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT BEING ABLE TO MONITOR YOUR RATE OF SPEED OR BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GET HOME ARE SAFETY ISSUES TO ME FOR MY HEALTH AS WELL AS MY PEACE OF MIND AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY GENERAL MOTORS DOESN'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS DEFAULT THEY ARE AWARE FOR ALL THEIR TAHOE OWNERS. I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS ANSWER CALL CENTER BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *TR

• 12/04/2004· TIRES

  FIRESTONE TIRES FR680, 215/70R15. REPLACED THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AT 25,000 MILES DUE TO SEVERE FLAT SPOTTING & STEEL CHORDS SHOWING. THE REAR TIRES ARE PERFECT. CHEVY DEALER AND TIRE STORE BOTH CONFIRMED NO ALIGNMENT ISSUES ARE PRESENT. THE TIRES ARE REALLY DEFFECTIVE. I HAD THE REAR TIRES MOVED TO THE FRONT AND BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR THE REAR. THE SAME WEARING OCCURRED, SO BOUGHT A NEW SET OF FOUR. THERE HAS NOT BE ANY PROBLEM SINCE.*AK

• 11/24/2003· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  EARLIER TODAY I HAD MY WIFE TAKE IN OUR 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD NOT RESET. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT CAME ON AND THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT RESET BY ITSELF. WHILE THERE I ASKED HER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE SEPT. 2, 2003 RECALL OF THE ASTRO VAN FOR A FRONT SUSPENSION DEFECT. RECALL NUMBER 03044. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE SEARCHED BY USING OUR VIN. THE SEARCH CAME BACK WITH NO RECALL. I RESEARCHED THE RECALL ON THE NHTSA AND CALLED THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURERS 800 NUMBER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO FIND OUT IF WE WOULD BE INCLUDED. I SPOKE WITH AN OPERATOR BY THE NAME OF ANGELA. SHE DID A QUICK SEARCH AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ALSO. I DISCLOSED TO HER THAT I WAS LOOKING AT THE RECALL AT THAT MOMENT ON THE NHTSA WEB SIGHT. SHE THEN RESTATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VAN BUT SHE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT I WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. ALL I WANTED TO KNOW WAS IF MY VAN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. CHEVROLET TRACKS THEIR VEHICLES. THEY KNOW WHAT PARTS ARE ON WHICH VANS. THEY EVEN KNOW WHO BOUGHT THEM AND WHERE THEY ARE. NOW THEY WILL NOT DISCLOSE IF MY VAN IS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THIS IS A GREAT CONCERN TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY BECAUSE THIS IS A VAN THAT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE IN. IS THERE SOME SORT OF CODE, RULE, OR LAW THAT THEY ARE BREAKING ABOUT NOT DISCLOSING THIS TO THERE CONSUMERS? PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU, BRETT SPINDLER 702-644-4671. *LA

• 11/19/2005· STEERING

  THE STEERING HAS LIMITED TURNING. WE CAN'T TURN INTO A PARKING PLACE WITHOUT BACKING UP AND MAKING TWO ATTEMPTS. I HAVE OWNED TWO OTHER ASTRO VANS THAT TURNED GREAT. *NM

• 11/19/2004· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVELINE VIBRATION - 40 - 60 MPH CAN BE FELT IN SEAT AND FLOOR - DEALER HAS REPLACED TAIL SHAFT BUSHINGS ON FIRST VISIT (2 DAYS) RETURNED VEHICLE WITH SAME PROBLEM - DEALER INSTALLED DAMPENERS ON REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING AND REAR LEAF SPRINGS. (5 DAYS) PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. DEALER HAS ORDERED A DAMPENER FOR EXHAUST PIPE,HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED YET WILL CALL WHEN PART ARRIVES. DEALER PERSONEL HAVE BEEN VERY POLITE AND COURTEOUS .I FEEL THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER THE SYMPTOMS RATHER THAN FIND THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION?*AK

• 11/14/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005 MY 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE IN A PARKING LOT. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE; THE FIREMEN DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO HUFFINES CHEVROLET IN PLANO, TX. THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET MECHANICS IS AS FOLLOWS: 1) EVERY TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE TIE RODS ETC. WOULD CHAFE AGAINST A BRACKET ON THE CHASSIS THAT HELD DOWN A BATTERY CABLE. 2) EVENTUALLY THE BRACKET FAILED. 3) THE BATTERY CABLE ARCED AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE. 4) THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED SPRAYING HYDRAULIC FLUID OVER THE HOT ENGINE MANIFOLD. 5) THE ENSUING FIRE BURNED THROUGH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE A/C HOSE CARRYING FREON. 6) WHEN THE A/C HOSED WAS SEVERED, THE FREON GAS ESCAPED CAUSING THE LOUD EXPLOSION THAT WE HEARD SOME DISTANCE AWAY. 7) THE SMOKE THAT WE SAW IN THE AIR WAS ACTUALLY THE ESCAPING FREON GAS. ALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IN THREE WEEKS. ON NOVEMBER 8, 2005, THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE UNDER WAY. THE CHEVROLET MECHANICS STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS TRACED TO A SMALL PINHOLE CAUSED BY THE ARCING BATTERY CABLE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. EVENTUALLY THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE FAILED. IF THIS STORY SEEMS PREPOSTEROUS TO YOU, IT DOES TO ME TOO BUT THIS IS THE STORY WE GOT FROM CHEVROLET. IN MY OPINION, MY 2003 CHEVY ASTRO VAN SUFFERS FROM A FATAL FLAW IN DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURER. IT IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD FOREVER. *JB

• 11/08/2003· SUSPENSION

  SERVICE ISSUE, NON-REMOVAL OF SHOCK SNUBBERS ON MAGNETIC SELECTIVE RIDE SHOCKS. *AK

• 11/06/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. CONDENSATION ACCUMULATES INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL . SHE SPECULATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT SHE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

• 11/05/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPEEDOMETER OF 2003 CHEVY TAHOE, STOPPED WORKING ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD NO WAY O MAKING SURE WHAT MY SPEED WAS. I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION. THE OFFICER LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER THAT WAY SHOWING 60 MPH AT A DEAD STOP. HE GAVE ME A WARNING AND TOLD ME TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

• 11/01/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WE HAVE A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AROUND 50,000 MILES. CHEVY HAS SENT NO RECALL NOTICE AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST OR SLOW I AM GOING. *TR

• 10/31/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HAZARD FLASHER RELAY/SWITCH "SOUNDS OFF" AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS RETURNED TO THE REST POSITION AFTER SIGNALING A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN, THIS CLICKING SOUND ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ADJUSTED AND WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL BY IT'S SELF. THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT LIGHT, ONLY THE AGGRAVATING CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD. I CAN ALSO MAKE THE HAZARD/SIGNAL RELAY/SWITCH CLICK BY WIGGLING THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR SWITCH. I HAD THE HAZARD SWITCH REPLACED AT THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE THE HAZARD/FLASHER RELAY/SWITCH AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

• 10/27/2017· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FRONT SUSPENSION ISSUES, ELECTRICAL GAUGES, REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK PUMP, DOOR LATCHES FAILING TO OPEN ON SLIDING SIDE DOOR MAKING EXITING OF VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE, RECALL OF 02V328000 UNABLE TO BE CONFIRMED AS HANDLED BY ANY DEALERS.

• 10/26/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD THE LOW TRAC LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE CAR DIES PUSHED IT TO A PARKING LOT TRIED TO START WOULD NOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COULD OF BEEN SCARY IF IT WOULD OF DIED ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

• 10/21/2005· VISIBILITY

  DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE MIRROR FLEW OFF ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE IF THE MIRROR WAS LOOSE BEFORE HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MIRROR STARTED MOVING AND HE TRIED TO REACH OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW AND GRAB THE MIRROR BUT COULD NOT CATCH THE MIRROR AND IT ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS DRIVING BEHIND HIM. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE MIRROR HAD BEEN HIT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE GLUE WHERE THE MIRROR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE MIRROR HAD COME OFF. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK (12/07/05) *SC *JB

• 10/16/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A PULSATING EFFECT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT HUB AND SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED 5000 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE RIGHT SENSOR AND HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CONTROL MODULE OF THE WHOLE ABS SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 11/09/06. *JB

• 10/10/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WITH THE INCREASED BRIGHTNESS OF HEADLIGHTS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SPOT FRONT TURN SIGNALS AT NIGHT WHEN THEY ARE PLACED ADJACENT TO THE LOW BEAM LAMP. PLEASE CONSIDER MANDATING THAT SIGNAL LAMPS MUST BE AT LEAST THREE INCHES FROM THE EDGE OF THE LOW BEAM'S REFLECTOR. *LA

• 10/09/2013· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES

  I AM COMPLAINING OF THE SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THE ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT BY A FEW CAR REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING MY ABS CPU. MY VAN IS HESITATING TERRIBLY AND CAUSING THE VAN TO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING. I HAVE ALSO DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE VIA INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE USA. AND GM IS BLAMING IT ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO ASTRO VANS(2003) ACROSS THE ENTIRE US. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 20MPH OR LESS, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITH AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS THIS ISSUE, AND WAS CHECKED BY A REPAIR SHOP. THEY DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM UNDETECTABLE; THE RECALL WAS ON MODELS UP TO 2002. IT SEEMS THAT IT CARRIED OVER TO THIS MODEL, CAN THE DEALER ASSIST IN REPLACING THE PARTS. I WOULD PAY THE LABOR BUT THE PARTS INVOLVED ARE ABOUT $1500.00 FROM THE DEALER ALONE. CAN I GET HELP FROM THE NHTSA TO GET THIS CRITICAL ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

• 10/05/2005· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I RECENTLY BEGAN DRIVING A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN ON OCCASION AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE MY FOOT HAS SLIPPED OFF OF (OR MISSED ENTIRELY) THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 2.625" X 2.0" AND IS 50% TO 300% SMALLER THAN THOSE ON OTHER PASSENGER VEHICLES OR MID-SIZED PICKUP TRUCKS IN OUR FLEET. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE NEAR MISSES IN COLLIDING WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BUT CONSIDER IT ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *JB

• 09/25/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE FUELING MY VEHICLE AT A GAS STATION, I PUMPED ABOUT $3.00 WORTH OF GAS INTO MY 1/8 TANK. AFTER IT REACHED $3.00 A LOUD HISSING SOUND CAME FROM THE FILLING NECK OF MY VAN (NOT THE ACTUAL GAS STATION PUMP) AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE SPRAYED ME ON THE STOMACH AND UPPER LEGS. THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM STILL AWAITING WORD ON GETTING REPAIR AUTHORIZED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THE 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. *JB

• 09/15/2008· POWER TRAIN

  THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 4:30 P.M. . TRANSMISSION FAILURE, 200 MILES FROM HOME IN CALIFORNIA. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HEARD ROARING SOUND FROM ENGINE, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SPEED DROPPED. EXITED FREEWAY LOOKING FOR MECHANICAL HELP, NONE AVAILABLE. OVERNIGHT IN CAMPGROUND. NEXT DAY TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA. TRANSMISSION REPLACED, SEPT. 21, '07. *TR

• 09/13/2004· SUSPENSION

  RECALL 03V328000/LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT INTERFERENCE. CONSUMER HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE. WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS BACKING UP OR MAKING A TURN A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

• 09/11/2005· STEERING

  SINCE THE TIME I PURCHASED MY CHEVROLET IMPALA I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES. 12 TO BE EXACT. THE FIRST 6 TIMES WAS WITHIN THE FIRST 7 MONTHS. I ASKED ABOUT THE LEMON LAW AND WAS TOLD THAT IT DIDN'T QUALIFY UNLESS THE EXACT PART WENT BAD 3 TIMES. TWO FULL NEW STEERING COLUMNS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLUS ALL OTHER INDIVIDUAL PARTS HAVING BEEN FOUND INADEQUATE WERE REPLACED. THE STEERING ALSO CONTINUOUSLY SQUEALED AND CLUNKED WHEN TURNING. AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS IT IS STILL DOING IT. THEN AFTER NUMEROUS OTHER VISITS WHEN I TRIED AGAIN TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE LEMON LAW I WAS TOLD IT WAS THREE WEEKS TO LATE. THEY PUT ME OFF AND STALLED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE LEMON THE TIME OR KNOWLEDGE TO INVESTIGATE. I HAVE BEEN LEFT NO RECOURSE AND I HAVE A CAR THAT STILL ISN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THAT I AM AFRAID TO TAKE OUT ON THE HIGHWAYS OR INTERSTATE. I AM A WIDOWED SENIOR OF 74 I FEEL HAVE BEEN GREATLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. MONTHS AGO THEY OFFERED ME AND EXTENDED 75,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE IT. THEN I CALLED GM CONSUMER SERVICE. I SPOKE TO JEAN WHYRE AND SHE WAS OF NO HELP AT ALL. SHE DENIED ME BOTH THE EXCHANGE OF VEHICLES AND THE WARRANTY ON THE COLUMN. SHE THEN SAID THAT SHE WAS WITHDRAWING IT CAUSE I REFUSED IT BEFORE THINKING THAT I WAS GOING TO GET A NEW CAR UNDER THE LEMON LAW. WHEN I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT TO HER SHE MALICIOUSLY RECANTED THE OFFER AND SAID I WOULD NOT GET IT THEN HUNG UP ON ME. I INQUIRED WITH THE FL. BAR ASSOCIATION BUT NO LAWYER WITH IN THE STATE WILL COVER THIS TYPE OF CASE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO GO TO FOR HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM SO I AM NOW CONTEMPLATING CONTACTING THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATION. THEY HAVE A DEPARTMENT WHICH TAKES CARE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND ABUSE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A CASE OF GROSS SENIOR ABUSE. I WOULD TO MAKE CLEAR THAT I DID ENQUIRE ABOUT THE LEMON TWICE. *NM

• 08/31/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. DROVE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT ON AUGUST 1, 2010. MONDAY MORNING AUGUST, 2, 2010 BATTERY WAS DEAD (PURCHASED NEW FEBRUARY 2010). REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY ON AUGUST 2, 2010. FIRST CONNECTED THE POSITIVE CABLE. ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT NEGATIVE CABLE. NEGATIVE POST TERMINAL SPARKED AND BATTERY CABLE GOT VERY HOT. DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE. INSPECTED FUSES. ALL GOOD. TRACE VISIBLE PORTIONS OF POSITIVE CABLE TO FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. NO INDICATION OF GROUNDING. CONTACTED MECHANIC WHO ON AUGUST 14, 2010 PERFORMED TEST ON FUSE BOX, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER. ALL GOOD. MECHANIC THOROUGHLY TRACED POSITIVE CABLE. DISCOVERED SHORT LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE BEHIND THE STEERING LINKAGE. STATED THAT CABLE SHEATH HAD BEEN WORN AWAY BY THE RUBBING OF THE TIE ROD AND WAS GROUNDING OUT ON THE BODY AND THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND HAD CABLE REPLACED. *TR

• 08/30/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  UNEVEN WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO FROZEN CALIPERS. ROTOR BECOMES UNEVENLY WORN CAUSING A PULSE IN BRAKES AND REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKES. WHEN EXAMINED FURTHER IT IS APPARENT THAT THE CALIPER IS NOT SLIDING PROPERLY AND ONLY THE PISTON SIDE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS BEING APPLIED AGGRAVATING THE PROBLEM FURTHER. PROBLEM WAS A PRIMARY CAUSE FOR LOSS OF CONTROL IN A LOW TRACTION INCIDENT IN WHICH THE VAN SPUN DURING PANIC BRAKING WHEN ONE REAR WHEEL LOCKED AND THE OTHER DIDN'T. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ONLY TO REDEVELOP PROBLEMS WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO. DEALER SERVICED VEHICLE ONE TIME AS WARRANTY BUT REQUIRED PAYMENT FOR PADS EVEN THOUGH THE PREMATURE WEAR WAS CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. THIS VAN IS ADVERTISED WITH A TOWING CAPACITY OF 5000 LBS I WOULD BE SCARED TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED ITSELF WHILE TOWING A 5000LB TRAILER DOWN A HILL OR MOUTAIN SIDE. *JB

• 08/29/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER A FEW HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING, I ISOLATED THE PROBLEM TO A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH. IF PUSHED TO THE LEFT, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED. I PLAN ON TRYING TO FIX IT TOMORROW, BUT SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON 2001 AND 2002, BUT NOT ON 2003. MY VAN WAS BUILT IN LATE 2002. NO DOUBT IT HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION CAN OCCUR ON THE UPDATED 01/02/08.*JB

• 08/23/2006· STEERINGCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 50 - 55 MPH DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION THE FRONT TWO WHEELS BEGAN TURNING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO STEERING INPUT. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED HOWEVER THERE WAS DIFFICULTING IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE ENDING UP IN A SIX FOOT DITCH WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE AFTER INSPECTION, THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. BOTH AAA AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE SENDING OUT INSPECTORS TO VIEW THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INCURRED MULTIPLE INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS PROCESSED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.

• 08/19/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE ABS LIGHT ON MY VAN HAS BEEN COMING ON AND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VAN JERKS AROUND ON THE ROAD AND PULLS TO THE LEFT. I HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS ON MANY OF THESE OCCASIONS. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT RECENTLY AND HE SAID HE CHECKED OUT THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAN SEE NO VISIBLE REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING. *TR

• 08/18/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTING BRAKE LINES. THE PREVIOUS DAY THIS VEHICLE WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER ON A MICHIGAN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND A WET AREA WAS VISIBLE ON THE CONCRETE. IT WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND THAT HAD DRIPPED FROM THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE AND DRAINED THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN MOVING THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FLUID LEAK. THE BRAKE LINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH! FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN THE PREVIOUS DAY AS IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GM DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE BRAKE LINES AND NONE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE AFTERMARKET. THE DEALER WANTED OVER $1700 TO REPLACE THE LINES AND SAID THERE MAY BE MORE ITEMS TO REPLACE - POSSIBLY ANOTHER $700 OR MORE. PLUS, FUEL LINES WERE ALSO RUSTING AND THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED TOO. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT OR EXTREME DAMAGE AS THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY USELESS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE TO STOP IT, EVEN AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES FOR A MUCH LONGER TIME - INCLUDING GM - AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. *TR

• 08/18/2005· POWER TRAIN

  MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT OF MY TAHOE IT IS A 2003 MODEL AND HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

• 07/31/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY FIANCE AND I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA IN NOV OF 2006 WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES. IN JULY OF 2007, THE CAR WAS STARTED AND SHUT OFF BY ITSELF A FEW MINUTES LATER. IT WOULD THEN NOT START. WE FIRST HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT INFORMED US THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. IT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CYLINDERS, THE SPARK PLUGS AND OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE 1400.00. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A 2ND SHOP FOR A 2ND OPINION. THEY TOLD US THAT THE ANTIFREEZE THAT LEAKED HAD TOTALLY LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND WE NEEDED A WHOLE NEW ONE. THAT WAS GOING TO COST US AT LEAST 2,000 FOR A USED ONE. WE THAN DECIDED THAT A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 60K MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BE IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE SO WE AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOLD US THE SAME THING. THE CAR WAS OFFICIALLY IN NEED OF A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. WE CONTACTED CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPT AND THEY ARE SO FAR UNWILLING TO HELP. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 8-9 MONTHS AND ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN. PER THE DEALER, THE USED ENGINE WILL COST US 3000.00 AND A NEW ONE WILL COST IS 5050.00. *JB

• 07/30/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT TIME OF COLLISION. ASTRO VAN WAS HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT WHEEL WELL & BUMPER. DRIVER WHO HIT VAN WAS EXCEEDING SPEED LIMIT, APPROXIMATELY DOING CLOSER TO 40 MPH IN A 25 MPH ZONE WHEN THEY HIT OUR VAN. WE WERE JUST STARTING TO PROCEED AFTER A STOP SIGN, BARELY DOING 10 - 15 MPH. THE ASTRO VAN WAS DRAGGED APPROXIMATELY 6-7 FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, DRIVER WAS INJURED RIGHT SIDE BACK & RIBS BRUISED AND POSSIBLE CONCUSSION HEAD INJURY TO LEFT SIDE OF HEAD DUE TO FORCE OF IMPACT.

• 07/28/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN DOING 60 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE READS OVER A 100 MPH. YOU HAVE TO STOP AND START THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT RESET TO 0 MPH. I SPENT 2 WEEKS RESEARCHING THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. *TR

• 07/26/2006· POWER TRAIN

  THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM EXISTED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND STILL EXISTS. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THE BEGINNING, IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING TOO SOON AND THEN WOULD SHIFT IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR STOP IN TRAFFIC ON AN INCLINE, THE PROBLEM IS REALLY PRONOUNCED. WHEN TRAFFIC BEGINS TO MOVE SLOWLY AFTER BEING STOPPED AT OR ON AN INCLINE AND I ACCELERATE AS TRAFFIC BEGINS TO MOVE, IT WILL JERK, THEN SHIFT, JERK, THEN SHIFT ETC., UNTIL I REACH A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. ONCE I AM ABOVE THAT SPEED IS REACHED, I HAVE NO PROBLEM. IF I FALL BELOW THAT SPEED AND ACCELERATE, THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. IT HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TWO TIMES THAT I HAD IN FOR SERVICE. THE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID IT WAS FINE. THIS TIME I REQUESTED THAT THE SERVICE MAN RIDE WITH ME AND I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS A "MISS" IN THE ENGINE, BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS AS I SAID ABOVE. WE DON'T FEEL IT IN THE ENGINE. WE FEEL IT IN THE WHEELS AND UNDERNEATH VAN ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE TRUCK IS UNABLE TO PULL ITS OWN WEIGHT THAT IT'S TRYING SO HARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AND THEN JERKS AND IMMEDIATELY SHIFTS. ON FLAT SURFACES WITH STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM SOMETIMES, BUT NOT AS MUCH AND NOT AS PRONOUNCED. WE SUGGESTED THAT THEY CHECK THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND THE POWER TRAIN, BUT WE AREN'T TECHNICIANS AND WERE TOLD THAT THE SERVICE MAN FEELS IT IS "MISSING." WE'RE JUST THE OWNERS THAT DRIVE AND HAVE COME TO KNOW ITS QUIRKS THAT SHOULDN'T EXISTS. THE RANGE OF MOTION WHEN TURNING AROUND OR MAKING A TURN HAS DECREASED. I OFTEN HAVE TO BACK UP THEN GO FORWARD TO COMPLETE A TURN. THIS WAS REAL EASY TO PICK UP BECAUSE WE TRADED IN OUR 1998 ASTRO FOR A 2003 ASTRO. I DEFINITELY DO NOT LIKED THE QUALITY, CHANGES, AND PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN. *JB

• 07/24/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS SENSOR BECAME DEFECTIVE AT 45,000 MILES. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COASTED. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE CURB WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION. DURING THESE INCIDENTS THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ABS SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS SENSOR. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED LONG BEFORE WHAT WAS REASONABLE. *NM

• 07/22/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE WHEELS WERE TURNED TO THE LEFT. A MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR

• 07/21/2006· TIRES

  MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE 40 AND ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. SHE WASN'T INJURED, NOR WAS THERE ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRE WASN'T PUNCTURED, THAT THE TREAD WALL COLLAPSED AND THEY RECOMMENED NEW TIRES. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS WITH 44,000 MILES ON A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WERE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD.

• 07/20/2004· SEATS

  I HAVE A NEW 2003 CHEVY ASTRO VAN WITH A POWER DRIVERS SEAT. THE SEAT HAS A LITTLE MOVEMENT UPON TAKE OFF AND STOPPING. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IS NORMAL. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NONE. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINING. *JB

• 06/28/2006· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE

  MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ALONG WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WENT COMPLETELY OUT. WE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VAN ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS BEFORE IT HAPPENED. I HAD THE VAN LOOKED AT BY JAMES MARTIN CHEVROLET IN DETROIT MICHIGAN. THE REPAIRS CAME UP TO $1400.00. THE VAN ONLY HAD ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

• 06/28/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND IS REACHING EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS NATIONWIDE CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS OF AMERICAN MADE AUTOMOBILES -- ALL MAKES, MODELS, AND YEARS. THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CARS DRIVING WITH ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT BECAUSE OF POOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING OF THAT SYSTEM IN AMERICAN MADE CARS. I DO NOT SEE THAT PROBLEM WITH FOREIGN MADE CARS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT IN 2003 AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS CANNOT BUILD A CAR WHERE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT FAIL -- AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT FAILURES CAUSED BY ACCIDENTS OR IMPACTS. IN OHIO IT WAS REALLY BAD, AND AS I MOVE AROUND THE COUNTRY IT IS NOT ISOLATED AT ALL, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURES IN AMERICAN CARS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE OR YEAR. THIS IS A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM THAT CAN BE TRACED TO AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS ARE A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM IN A CAR, AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE FAILING AT SUCH AN ALARMING RATE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NO-ONE HAS TAKEN ACTION TO DATE REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. *NLM

• 06/23/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  DT: 2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO, VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES, AROUND AT LEAST 12 TIMES, THIS HAPPENED ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS ENDANGERING THE CONSUMER AND HER FAMILY, THE CONSUMER HAS HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AROUND 5 OR 6 OF THESE TIMES, THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE USUALLY STARTS BACK UP AFTER AT LEAST 2-3 HOURS AFTER STALLING, VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES, CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE, CHEVROLET HAS YET TO GET BACK TO THE CONSUMER, THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WERE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION , POWER CONTROL MODULE, POSSIBLE TRANSFERENCE PROBLEM, OR POSSIBLE OTHER PROBLEM, DEALER ALSO SAID THERE WAS A LOUD REAR CHATTER. *JB

• 06/18/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT CHEVROLET, CAVALIER 2003. THE CAR JUST QUIT WHILE DRIVING, THANK GOD I WAS ONLY ONE ON ROAD. THE CAR ONLY HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE; SUCH AS OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, FILTERS, ETC. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COASTED ME $721.29, WHICH WAS VERY UNEXPECTED. WHAT AMAZED ME EVEN MORE WAS MANY MORE HAD SAME PROBLEM ONCE I SEARCHED IT ONLINE. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE. TP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-CAVALIER/TVINIC5TFU5SFSI5H I FOLLOWED ANOTHER FORUM POSTERS RESPONSE AND CAME HERE TO LET MY EXPERIENCE BE HEARD. *AK

• 06/17/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE ABOUT 3 MILES TURNED IT OFF AND LOCKED IT USING THE REMOTE. WHEN I TRIED STARTING THE CAR ABOUT AN HOUR LATER , AFTER UNLOCKING IT USING THE REMOTE), THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO START BUT JUST COULDN'T TURN OVER. LUCKILY, I HAVE A MECHANIC IN THE FAMILY THAT SUGGESTED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE SYSTEM. AS A RESULT I ENDED UP MISSING A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING. EVERY NOW AND THEN THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON DASHBOARD POPPED ON AND THEN EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY. I DIDN'T ALWAYS HAVE 10 EXTRA MINUTES TO SPARE JUST IN CASE THE CAR DECIDED TO DO THIS. *AK

• 06/15/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY ASTRO. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY OF 2005. THE VOLTS METER STARTED DROPPING. I TOOK IT TO PHIL SMITH CHEVROLET IN LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA. THEY DID AN ELECTRIC DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TO BE BAD. I CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY ON MY OWN. VEHICLE STILL HAD SAME PROBLEM AFTERWARDS. I THEN TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO PHIL SMITH CHEVROLET, AND THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE BAD. I HAD THEM CHANGE THEM. THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS STILL COMING ON, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS OKAY, THEY JUST FORGOT TO RESET THE LIGHT. EVERYTHING WAS OKAY, EXCEPT FOR THE BATTERY LIGHT STILL COMING ON, UNTIL MAY OF 2005. WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, MY VEHICLE STALLS OUT, BUT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP. I THEN BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO TRAPP CHEVROLET IN HOUMA, LA. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD. SO, I THEN CHANGED THE ALTENATOR AGAIN. I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SO I RETURNED TO TRAPP. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AGAIN, AND SAID THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS OUT AND DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR WAS OUT. I THEN CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER, DISTRIBUTOR CAP, AND ROTOR MYSELF. I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THEN, RETURNED TO TRAPP CHEVROLET, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM, AND THE MECHANIC HAS DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AND SEES THE PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. IF I WANT THEM TO CONTINUE WORKING TO FIND THE PROBLEM, I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH.

• 05/26/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING PULLING A TRAILER ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRAFFIC STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AT A SAFE DISTANCE WHEN SUDDENLY MY BRAKES WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND STOP. I HAD TO GO THRU THE EMERGENCY LANE. I TOLD MY SON TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE I WAS UNDERNEATH AND THE BRAKE LINES BROKE. THEY WHERE ALL RUSTED OUT. I HAD TO GET A WRECKER TO TAKE IT HOME.IF YOU NEED TO SEE MY VAN CALL ME SO YOU CAN SEE THE BRAKE LINES. *TR

• 05/24/2004· SUSPENSION

  WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK